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FORWARD OPERATING BASE JACKSON, Afghanistan (4/10/2012) – Marines
and sailors with 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, came to Helmand
province six months ago, cracking down on insurgents and extending a
helping hand to locals.
Cpl. Randy Cripe, a squad leader with 2nd Platoon, Lima Company,
provides security, with the rest of his squad, while on patrol Feb.
27, 2012. Cripe, currently deployed with 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine
Regiment, used Lance Cpl. Nicholas Wurst as his go-to-guy, using his
ability to adapt, to fill the squads needs. Cripe used Wurst as his
coverman and navigator while patrolling today. Photo by USMC Cpl.
Timothy Lenzo |
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Whether wading through creeks while on patrol, setting check points
in the dusty heat or drinking chai tea in a classroom of Afghan
soldiers, they worked to train the Afghan forces and provide a safer
place for their people.
“Our mission when we came to Sangin
in 2011 was to deepen the hold that 1st Battalion, 5th Marines had
accomplished during their deployment,” said Lt. Col. Seth Folsom,
commanding officer, 3rd Bn., 7th Marines. “We recognized up front
that this was going to be the pivotal year, the pivotal point in
time that we would be able to push the (Afghan National Security
Forces) in the lead.”
The battalion arrived in October, and
as temperatures cooled, fighting began to wane. This break gave the
Marines the opportunity to train their Afghan counterparts for the
next fighting season.
Advisor team Marines with the battalion
trained ANSF through various courses i |
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ncluding an ANSF medic course, a squad leader course, and an officer
training course. |
The advisor team also trained ANSF to conduct local
shuras as a way to interact with local Afghans. These
meetings have allowed ANSF to maintain trust and open
communication with the local leaders.
Afghan National
Army Staff Sgt. Sherhassans, senior medic, 2nd Kandak, 2nd
Brigade, 215th Corps, said he learned a lot from the ANSF
medic course and was thankful for the Marine instructors.
“We love working with the Marines,” said Sherhassans.
“They helped us become more independent and we always
welcome them here.”
As the deployment progressed, the
Marines began transitioning responsibility to Afghan forces.
Folsom said 3rd Bn., 7th Marines, is leaving Helmand
province with Afghans patrolling on their own, and planning
and conducting their own counter-insurgency operations.
“Our primary mission was ANSF development, and I believe
we accomplished that mission,” said Sgt. Maj. Rafael
Rodriguez, 3rd Bn.'s sergeant major.
As part of their
mission, 3rd Bn., 7th Marines, oversaw the construction of
seven new schools, three clinics, several training sites,
and hundreds of miles of road throughout Helmand province.
“The Marines have helped the people (of Afghanistan),”
said Sherhassans. “Their help with schools and medical
independence will last for a long time.”
Folsom said
the Marines worked closely with their Afghan counterparts to
develop a district security plan, which ANSF executed.
“The plan involved mutually deciding between our forces
and ANSF which positions we would tear down and which
positions we would transfer over,” said Folsom. “We also
were able to mutually decide how to divide the battle space
between the four major forces that were here in Sangin: the
Marines, the Afghan National Army, the Afghan Uniformed
Police, and the Afghan National Civil Order Police.”
Third Bn., 7th Marines, followed the district security plan,
downsizing from 25 positions, to five independent Marine
positions. The remaining 20 position were transferred to
ANSF or torn down.
Fewer positions did not mean
Marines stopped working in the area. Operations varied from
daily presence patrols, to larger company- and
battalion-level missions.
“I think the security in
Sangin is in a great state,” said Rodriguez. “Evidence of
this is the elections that were held in Sangin (March 28).”
More than 2,000 people voted in the elections, an
indication that Afghans feel they can vote without the
threat of insurgents, said Rodriguez.
“I am glad the
elections went (well),” said Sherhassans. “It shows the
people are happy and (feel) safe.”
In 2010, the last
time 3rd Bn., 7th Marines, was here, insurgents used
violence during the elections to discourage people from
voting.
“Instead, on March 28, there was absolutely
no incident of violence, or intimidation among the locals,”
Folsom said.
The battalion's hard work to maintain
security has developed strong bonds of trust with the Afghan
locals.
“In certain areas, the local population
embraces the Marines, and they continuously praise Marines
for their efforts and the security we provide them,” said
Rodriguez. “In some areas, they let the squad leaders know
where possible (improvised explosive devices) are placed, or
they extract them from the ground and bring them to the
local patrol bases.”
At the end of the deployment,
3rd Bn., 7th Marines, packed their bags and waited for their
flight. When it arrived, their replacements, 1st Battalion,
7th Marine Regiment, came off first. As they passed, Marines
from each battalion exchanged “good lucks” and “good jobs”
with each other.
Third Battalion left knowing they
handed over a more secure and independent Sangin.
By USMC Cpl. Timothy Lenzo
Regimental Combat Team 6
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2012
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